An autorickshaw driver saved a 17-year-old boy from the jaws of a crocodile in Vadodara on Tuesday, 6 October.
Mukesh Sakla,17, was attacked by a crocodile in the Vishwamitri River. Sakla, who hails from Madhya Pradesh, caught the attention of auto driver Ganibhai Mohammed Sheikh when he cried for help. Sheikh, 52, rescued the boy after battling with the reptile for 10-15 minutes, DNA reports.
Sheikh said that while he was passing the Bhimnath Bridge in Sayajigunj area at around 12.30 pm he "saw a youth screaming for help in the river". He added that many people had assembled on the bridge and were throwing stones at the crocodile.
Then, he picked up an iron rod from "a nearby construction site and started hitting the crocodile on its head," as the reptile hadgrabbed Mukesh's left hand in its jaws.
"Soon the crocodile retreated in the river and the youth, who was bleeding profusely, was brought out," Sheikh, added.
The local residents rushed Mukesh to SSG Hospital, where he is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Range Forest Officer PB Chauhan said, "The youth said he is from Madhya Pradesh, but beyond that he has not told anything about himself or his family."
He further said eye-witnesses revealed that Mukesh had jumped into the river from the bridge.
Chauhan added the eye-witnesses also told him that Mukesh had landed on many crocodiles and "one of them suddenly attacked and grabbed his left hand."
The seriousness of Mukesh's injuries is not known as yet.
More than 200 crocodiles are believed to thrive in Vishwamitri River. At least nine attacks were reported this year on human beings of which two turned out to be deadly, reported The Times of India.
